The Matrix plays around with the concept what is reality and what is imaginary. There are two worlds in which the humans exist. The Matrix itself is a made up programmed world in which humans blissfully sleep/live in. On the other hand once Neo takes the red pill and discovers the "truth", he finds himself in the real world, which is this post apocalyptic world in which humans were bred as "crops" to become fuel for the AI's that dominate and control society.
The Matrix uses different types of modes in which the Real World and the Matrix are connected and yet different.
One example would the visual representation of the glasses in which, putting the glasses on were a sign that they could "See". They knew the truth about the imaginary world that was a prison and they saw the "truth". If you notice, the characters that are aware of their surroundings are wearing shades whether it was the agents that were trying to track Neo or Morpheus and the crew.
Another visual queue or surroundings (spatial) is that everything in the Matrix seemed to have a greenish tint to it and colors were very bland. They were various shades of grey and the interaction level between people was minimal. Everything around them in the Matrix had vertical or horizontal lines surrounding them. They were hard edges and unwavering. Once the audience steps into the real world, everything is dreary and dark and very apocalyptic. Things are dilapidated, broken, fallen and the choice colors that stand out are red and blue based on the cables running through the ship or the pills that Neo has to choose between. The visual representation of repetition gives the audience a sense of industrial work because humans are seen as "crops" to be harvested and live in the red nasty liquid gel.
One Aural queue that we continuously hear in the movie is the ringing of telephones. This is a link between the real world and the matrix allowing for users to jump between the two. In some regards it is literally a "Wake Up Call" in which Neo and his crew "Wake up" from the Matrix to be unplugged into the reality.
A major part of the movie that makes it so iconic is the slow motion parts where Neo is dodging bullets. This becomes a visual mode in which the viewers can recognize that Neo is outsmarting the program he is occupying and is able to read it and predict the program.
The movie overall was really good and has been a pop culture classic due to the iconic slow motion scenes and the phrase "Mr. Anderson" that is repeated several times throughout the movie.
Food for thought: Some other really good movies that touch on what is Reality and Illusion --> MirrorMask and Pan's Labyrinth are some of my favorites.
I do wish I could remember what the movie was called that was about people that lived in a virtual reality and someone was killing people off...darn...oh well.
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